If you’re 65 or older
If you do, a Memory Care Home may be a place where you can live and have access to round the clock help. Memory Care Homes are staffed and designed to create a supportive environment for people living with dementia. Dementia includes, but is not limited to, Alzheimer’s Disease, Lewy Bodies Disease or Vascular Dementia.
Trained staff are available on site 24 hours a day. Weekly nursing care will be provided to assess and manage your care needs. The number of staff to residents is higher in Memory Care Homes than other care settings. This provides you or your loved one with the one-on-one support needed to complete activities like getting dressed, having a bath and eating a meal. Staff are also able to provide the amount of supervision and intervention that helps to manage behaviours that may happen in the later stages of dementia. Meals, help with medication and housekeeping services are provided by the Memory Care Home, as well as social and recreational programming.
Memory Care Homes are privately owned. Social Development is responsible for licensing and inspecting the homes annually. Memory Care Homes are required to follow the department’s Standards and Procedures for Adult Residential Facilities. The Office of the Fire Marshal and Public Health also license and inspect the homes each year.
The inspection reports for Memory Care Homes are posted online on a yearly basis. Inspection reports can be viewed by clicking here.
Memory Care Homes are specially designed for people living with dementia. For example:
- All services must be available on one floor
- Hallways are connected so walking freely is encouraged
- Grab bars are installed in the hallways
- Facilities are secure from the inside and outside
- Accessible courtyard is fenced-in
- A maximum of 18 residents per facility
Seniors aged 65 and older with a moderate to severe diagnosis of dementia that need specialized support may be able to access Memory Care Homes.
People who benefit from living in a Memory Care Home meet the following criteria:
- You are eligible for services through the Long Term Care program;
- Your health status is stable. This means you are currently not receiving medical care and treatment that will significantly improve your condition;
- You need some assistance or supervision with walking or using a wheelchair;
- You need one on one help from a care provider to carry out your daily activities such as getting dressed, bathing, toileting and managing medications;
- You have responsive behaviours* related to a diagnosis of dementia such as agitation, wandering, sundowning, aggression or hallucinations that needs close supervision and regular intervention; and
- Your care needs can be managed with weekly nursing care provided by a Registered Nurse or a Licensed Practical Nurse.
In some situations, people under the age of 65 may qualify through the Disability Support Program. Talk to your Social Worker to learn more.
*To learn more about responsive behaviours visit the Alzheimer Society website, click here.
A Social Worker with the Long Term Care (LTC) program at Social Development can help you find out if your personal goals and care needs can be safely met in a Memory Care Home.
The Long Term Care Program is for seniors, 65 years of age or older. To learn how you may qualify and apply to the Long Term Care Program, click here.
Eligible clients may receive financial help to go towards the cost of living in a Memory Care Home. To receive financial help a financial assessment would need to be completed. Social Development pays a subsidy up to $192.78 per day or $5863.81 per month for services in a Memory Care Home.
Some Memory Care Homes may charge above $192.78 per day, this is not considered when calculating the subsidy offered by Social Development. Therefore, you are responsible for any additional cost.
If you qualify for Memory Care Home services the following are some steps you are responsible for:
You will need to have a physician or nurse practitioner complete the Physical Examination and History form. Your Social Worker will provide this form to you.
You will need to choose what Memory Care Home you would like to move into. A complete list of Memory Care Homes can be found by clicking here, or ask your Social Worker. It is recommended that you visit the Memory Care homes to help with your decision. Some questions to ask might be:
- Do you have any spaces currently available?
- How much do you charge a month to live in your home? Please note: Operators of Memory Care Homes determine how much they charge. The amount the operators charge maybe higher than the costs the Social Development can provide a financial subsidy for.
- Do I have to share a bedroom?
- What type of social and recreational programming is available?
- Do you provide transportation to and from medical appointments? What is the cost?
- Are there any additional fees? (For example, cable, phone, internet, etc.)
- What is provided by the operator? (For example, furniture, bedding, towels, etc.)
- What personal belongings can I bring with me? (For example, chair, dresser, décor, etc.)
- Do you provide a menu and do residents have more than one option daily? (Talk about food restrictions or allergies you may have)
Once you have chosen a home, you will need to work with the operator and your Social Worker to choose the date you can move in.
You will need to arrange for payment with the Operator. If Social Development is providing financial help, the operator will deduct that amount from the cost of the service you will be required to pay.
If you are approved for Memory Care Home services, you also have the option of being admitted to a Nursing Home. For information on Nursing Homes, click here.
If you are going to move into a Memory Care Home, you will need to have a Physical Examination and History form completed by a physician or nurse practitioner. Some physician offices will charge a fee to complete the form.
Individual Memory Care Homes may have additional forms to complete when you move in.
Human Services Careers
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